Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1068-1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1068-1’ characterized by having a typical compact growth, small flowers and an intense orange flower color.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Impatiens walleriana.

Variety denomination: HGI-1068-1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HGI-1068-1’.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program in the village of Hem, the Netherlands. The female parent is ‘IB-18-2’ (unpatented). The male parent is ‘IB-22-1’ (unpatented). ‘HGI-1068-1’ was discovered and selected by the inventor Johannes J. G. Sijm, in November 1999, as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in the village of Hem, the Netherlands.

‘HGI-1068-1’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor and selected in a controlled cultivated environment in the village of Hem, the Netherlands. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative cuttings used in propagation was first performed in December 1999 in the village of Hem, the Netherlands and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of ‘HGI-1068-1’ which in combination distinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact growth;

2. Small flowering;

3. Small leaves; and

4. Intense orange color

‘HGI-1068-l’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in the village of Hem, the Netherlands under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to ‘HGI-1068-1’ is the cultivar ‘Firefly Orange’. The overall habit and appearance of ‘HGI-1068-1’ and ‘Firefly Orange’ are comparable, however ‘HGI-1068-1’ has a more compact growth, the flowers are slightly larger, 2.3 cm in length and 2.0 cm in width and a flower color of RHS N30A, whereas the flowers of ‘Firefly Orange’ are 2 cm in length and 1.8 cm in width and RHS N30C in color.

In comparision to the instant plant, both parental cultivars have a more vigorous plant habit. When grown under the same conditions in a greenhouse as potted plants, the parental cultivars are 50% taller than ‘HGI-1068-1’. The flower color of parental cultivars differ from ‘HGI-1068-1’. Flowers of the female parental cultivar are RHS N30A; flowers of the male parental cultivar are RHS N34B, and are larger, 4-5 cm in diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic illustrations show typical flower and foliage characteristics of ‘HGI-1068-1’ with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

The first drawing shows the plant in its entirety, with compact growth and numerous flowers.

The second drawing shows an enlargement of one typical flower.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in the village of Hem, the Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plant grows well under normal greenhouse conditions, however the temperature should not decrease below 15 degrees Centigrade. Shading of the plants in high light conditions is essential. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in the village of Hem, the Netherlands.

Parentage:

Female parent.—IB-18-2.

Male parent.—IB-22-1.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Stem cutting.

PLANT

General appearance and form:

Height.—8 centimeters, when grown in a 10 centimeter pot.

Width.—10 centimeters.

Growth and branching habit.—Upright and freely branching.

Flowering response.—Day length neutral.

Flowering season.—Year-round in controlled climate conditions; outdoors until start of frost period.

Winter hardiness.—No.

Lastingness of the individual bloom.—5 to 7 days depending on temperature of the environment.

Crop time.—6 weeks from cutting to plant.

Time to initiate roots.—10 to 12 days at an average of 22 degrees Centigrade.

Time to develop roots.—18 to 21 days at an average of 21 degrees Centigrade.

Rooting habit.—Fibrous, branching and fine roots.

Fragrance.—None.

Foliage:

Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate to elliptic.

Base.—Acute.

Tip.—Acute.

Margin.—Sharp.

Texture.—Soft.

Main color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 137B. Immature leaf: RHS 137B.

Main color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 138B. Immature leaf: RHS 138B.

Venation color.—Upper surface: Pinnate RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 138B.

Size.—Length: 4 centimeters. Width: 2.5 centimeters.

Leaf base shape.—Acute.

Leaf apex shape.—Acute.

Petiole.—Length: 2 centimeters. Diameter: 0.2 centimeters.

Color.—Between RHS 146D and RHS 146C.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single, placed in upper leaf axils.

Flowering season.—Year-round in controlled climate conditions; outdoors until start of frost period.

Flower size.—2.3 cm long; 2.0 cm wide. Average Number: 2 to 7 per leaf axil, large numbers per plant. Height: 2.3 centimeters. Petals: Number/Arrangement: 5 arranged around the stamen. Length: 1.2 centimeters. Width: 0.7 centimeters. Shape: Upper petal round shaped, the remaining oval shaped. Base: Acute. Margin: Sharp. Texture: Soft. Color: Upper surface: RHS N30A, with a spot on the lower petals, 2 mm below the center of the flower, 1 mm in diameter and RHS 155B in color. Lower surface: RHS N30A.

Stem.—Average length: 1.5 centimeters depending on cultivation conditions. Average diameter: 15 millimeters. Color: RHS 138B.

Spur.—Color: RHS 29C. Length: 2.5 cm.

Bud.—Response: Daylength neutral. Color: Starts at RHS 155C to RHS 30 before opening. Size before opening: 0.5 centimeters. Pedicel length: Starting at 0 cm and stretching to 1.5 centimeters. Pedicel color: RHS 138A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamen: 1, color RHS 141B. Seed/Fruit Development: None. Anthers: Caps over pistil, drops off when flower matures, color RHS N74B. Pollen: None. Stigma: Star-shaped when opened, color RHS 155 B. Ovary: Color RHS 141B.

Disease/pest/resistance/susceptibility.—No observations to date. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1068-1’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 